A confident Indian side travelled to Jamaica on the back of an emphatic win by an innings and 92 runs in Antigua to take on the West Indies in the second test of the four-match series at Sabina Park Stadium, Kingston. Both teams made one change each to their playing XI as K.L Rahul replaced the injured Murali Vijay for Team India and Miguel Cummins made his Test Debut replacing Carlos Braithwaite for the hosts. Indian Skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bowl first on a damp pitch.

The Windies’ openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Rajendra Chandrika walked out to the centre while Ishant Sharma was handed the responsibility of the new ball. The Indian pacers did not disappoint as they clipped away three wickets within the first six overs as the hosts were struggling at 7/3 in 6 overs. Jermaine Blackwood and Marlon Samuels however showed resilience to the Indian bowling attack as Blackwood came out aggressively and scored a quick fire half century. His brief stint at the crease was finally brought to an end by R. Ashwin who struck right before lunch. The Indian off-spinner went on to get his 18th five wicket haul showing his class against the inexperienced middle order of the West Indian team. The hosts were restricted to 196 in 52.3 overs with I. Sharma and M. Shami chipping in with two wickets each. The Indian openers K.L Rahul and S. Dhawan soon came onto the field looking to impose a huge lead. Team India ended Day 1 at 126/1 in 37 overs losing the wicket of S. Dhawan in the 20th over.
The Indian batsmen took their stance at the crease on Day 2 with K.L Rahul resuming at 75. The Windies hoped to a take few early wickets to and make a comeback in the match but the sheer batting class of K.L Rahul defied all hopes as the youngster went on to score his 3rd Test century in the 56th over of the Indian innings. All three hundreds of the “Run-machine” as nicknamed by R. Ashwin have come overseas scoring the previous two in Australia and Sri Lanka respectively. Pujara also played a handy innings before he was run-out off a direct hit on the stumps by R. Chase. K.L Rahul was also dismissed after playing an excellent innings of 158 off 303 deliveries and was followed by the skipper Virat Kohli who scored 44 off 90. The day came to an end with A. Rahane and W. Saha in the middle and the score board at 358/5.

Vice Captain Ajinkya Rahane displayed some great batting skills on Day 3 as he scored his 7th Test century. He now has scored a century in 5 countries outside India which also include Australia, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka. Wicket-keeper W. Saha also chipped in with 47 off 116 balls. The day however belonged to the off spinner from West Indies Roston Chase as he picked up his first five wicket haul in Tests ending with excellent figures of 5/121. Team India declared at 500/9 ending the day posting a humungous lead of 304. The West Indian openers came out to bat after a 75 minute delay due to heavy rains. The forecast for the day was not great news for cricket lovers with heavy rains predicted throughout the day. The hosts started the day on a disastrous note as they lost 4 wickets in 16 overs and still trailing by 256 runs. The rain gods however, played spoilt sport and the day was called off.

The Indian Team entered the field confident of wrapping up the game on the 5th and final day with West Indians having a stiff target in front of them. The hosts however had a different plan in their mind. Much to the surprise of the Indian team, the hosts came out all guns blazing. They went on the attack rather than trying to defend and draw the match. The inexperienced middle order which was considered to be a weak link came to the rescue with R. Chase leading the pack and scoring a much needed century. An unbeaten 137* (267) off 267 by the all-rounder came with good support from J. Blackwood, S. Dorwich and Captain J. Holder. All of them went on to score half centuries to take the team to a total of 388/6 in 104 overs. The captains shook hands and the game ended in a draw. Playing out the overs at a crucial juncture and saving the team from a loss, this match was no less than history as cricket emerged as the clear winner.

R. Chase was adjudged Man of the Match for his 5-wicket haul in the first innings and the heart winning century which showed character and passion in the second innings. This is what he had to say about his performance “It was a great feeling. I could help my side draw a Test match. A fifer and a hundred, I couldn’t have asked for any better. I’m equally capable of batting and bowling but I enjoy my batting more. It’s a nice feeling, I know it’s a crucial game and just keep learning with every day. The captain asked us to show some fight. We just fought hard till the end, Dowrich unfortunately fell short. I’m happy with the draw but I would have liked a win.” Virat Kohli also praised the performance of K.L Rahul and A. Rahane “We know Jinks (Rahane) is a quality player and he’s such an important player overseas. Even KL Rahul played very well. He either gets single-digit scores or three-digit-scores (lets out a broad cheeky grin). He has come in as a replacement for Vijay and he took the opportunity with both hands.”

A great match of cricket where both teams displayed character and with the rain gods playing their part, the series has definitely come to life. The third game promises even more excitement as the West Indians will be full of confidence after this draw. Will Team India win the third game and seal the series or do the hosts have another trick up their sleeve? We will find it out on the 9th of August from St. Lucia.